Why is my Chimney Leaking?

A fireplace can be one of the most charming features of a home. It can also be one of the most problematic; especially when water finds its way in. Water dripping into your fireplace can be one of the more frustrating things you’ll face as a homeowner. If you find yourself screaming “why is my chimney leaking,” you may be fearing the worst. While some chimney repair tasks are more involved (and more expensive) than others, your problem could be a simple one. Here are a few helpful tips on where to look. Hopefully this will help you go from “why is my chimney leaking” to “that’s how I fixed my chimney!”

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Why is my chimney leaking? It could be the chimney cap.

One of the simplest reasons for a leaking fireplace is that the chimney cap has come loose or is missing entirely. This metal cap for your chimney keeps animals and, yes, water from entering your fireplace. Has wind or a critter of some kind dislodged the cap? Rain can come right down into your fireplace. If you’re asking “why is my chimney leaking,” this is your best bet for a simple and inexpensive repair.

If you don’t have a chimney cap on your chimney (and many older homes don’t), you should contact a professional about installing one as soon as possible.

Why is my chimney leaking? It could be the flashing.

Another relatively simple solution is checking the flashing at the base of your chimney. If your flashing is improperly installed, cracked, or has come loose, water can run down the side of your chimney and into your wall cavity. While you won’t see water in your firebox in this instance, you may see water stains on your ceilings or in your drywall. If this is the case, you’ll find yourself in need of serious drywall repair.

Why is my chimney leaking? It could be the crown.

A chimney crown is a concrete (sometimes) or mortar (more likely) covering for your chimney. Whereas the chimney cap covers only your flue, the crown keeps water, branches, and animals from getting in between the masonry and the chimney pipe. If there is a gap between the the chimney pipe and the crown water could be entering through it. Additionally, mortar and concrete crowns can crack over time, as shown in this photo. This is especially true in climates where water can freeze inside of cracks, causing them to expand.

If you have minor cracks in your crown they can sometimes be sealed. If your crown has more serious damage, however, it could need to be rebuilt.

Why is my chimney leaking? Brick is porous.

Even though we build buildings with them, brick and mortar are both porous. This means that water can get into your chimney through the very thing from which it’s made. What’s more, water that enters through your brick has to find it’s way out. This could mean it enters your basement, damages your drywall, or even erodes the mortar between your bricks. This can cause them to become loose. If so, that could mean major masonry repair.

One way to help guard against this this is to use a spray-on masonry sealer on your chimney. Additionally, speak to a professional about adding weep holes into the base of your chimney if they don’t already exist.

Stop asking “why is my chimney leaking” and call ProMaster!

Figuring out why your fireplace is leaking can be tough, even for the professionals. If you’re asking “why is my chimney leaking” and can’t come to the right conclusion, contact ProMaster! Our “Home Repair Heroes” would love to help keep the rain outside of your house so you can curl up by a warm fire again. You can schedule online, use the “Reach Out” form at the bottom of this page, or call 513-322-2914.